Abstract
Sexual health is an important aspect of quality-of-life for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. AYAs report a need for information about sexual health but experience a lack of communication with their healthcare provider. It is known that sexual health is a difficult theme for healthcare providers to discuss. This study aims to gain insight into perspectives of healthcare providers in facilitating AYAs’ needs regarding sexual health. A qualitative study was performed. Six doctors and eight nurses from eight Dutch hospitals, specialized in AYA care, participated in semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Interviews with the healthcare providers revealed five themes concerning the discussion of sexual health: (1) being responsible for bringing up the topic of sexual health, (2) finding optimal timing to discuss sexual health, (3) acquiring knowledge to enable discussion of sexual health, (4) facilitating communication about sexual health, and (5) providing informative material for AYAs. To facilitate discussing sexual health, clear defined responsibilities within the team and sufficient knowledge are important. Self-report questionnaires, material to hand out, a checklist for healthcare providers, and knowledge of different communication strategies are helpful when discussing sexual health. By applying such means, communication with AYAs might be improved.
Highlights
Sexual health is a multidimensional concept, the definition of which lacks consensus in the literature
Participants highlighted the importance of offering information at various times and suggested education for the healthcare providers and multidisciplinary approach and communication tools as facilitating factors to enhance the discussion of sexual health with the AYA
Cancer can interfere with sexual development of the AYA and may cause problems with sexual health
Summary
Sexual health is a multidimensional concept, the definition of which lacks consensus in the literature. For the purpose of this study, sexual health is comprised of sexual self-awareness, sexual function, and sexual relationships and intimacy [1,2,3]. These issues usually arise during adolescence or young. As well as desire for knowledge, AYAs have a need for support with the effect of cancer and its treatment on their sexual health. In a survey among 217 AYAs, 82% reported an unmet need regarding information and counselling on sexual health [14]. In a retrospective study among 427 AYAs, only 12% had a discussion about sexual health within 6 months of the initial consultation [16]. AYAs’ discomfort and the presence of parents and family make it difficult for them to initiate a conversation themselves
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